Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-08-31
Gales aud Sketthes.
A LOVERS QUARTET.

said MIR. Perrin his reproachful gaze fixed
upon the fly promenading the widows
plump wrist II had hoped on reflection
YOU ID come to consider my proposal favor,
ABLY. but it seems you think you couldn'l
be happy with me-"
II couldn't be happy with Roxanna,"
responded that lady, impetuously; then
checking herself, she flushed like the
woodbine at the window, and IN her turn
gazed down at the itinerating fly.
..Oh, if you refuse me on account Of
sister, Mrs. Deery, really can't take No
for an answer" cried her sutton, looking
up with an encouraging air.
The widows gaze never swerved from
the insect, now chafng its stitfened little
legs upon her thumb.
You'd have DO trouble in getting along
with sisterT wager" pursued the eager
wooer. You rarely see an evener-tem-
pered woman"
Eyes, that's Just it. Mr.. Perrin; Rox-
annals too perfect" broke forth the lady,
brushing away the fly with startling en-
ergy. at would idget me to death to
live with her. She's chosen vessel and
Pm only common clay"
The Widow Deery common clay, in
deedl Mr.. Perrin would have devined
the contrary unaided by the officious sun
beam which darted in that instant to point
out her manifold attractions. Being deep.
ly in love. he took advantage of his OPP
portunity to pay handsome compliment
and to renew his suit.
For one intoxicating moment his far
listener wavered, but the moment passed.
.Hush, please, Mr.. Perrin Don't say
any more about it ~ cried she, with will
full toss of her bewitching brown curls.
81 might care for you'-the tremor in
her voice was very nearly his undoing-
IL might care for you, but | couldn't
breathe with Roxanna. Think how my
little boy would worry her ! She wouldn't
speak an unkind word, but every time he
left sticky finger prints on door should
feel that she was wishing that he and his
mother had staid away"
IL might" Mr.. Perrin paused,
shocked at his base impulse. Had he actu-
ally been about to remark that he might
provide sister with another home ?-sister,
who put for his interests, might now be
matronizing household OF her own
Dear, faithful Roxanna Could he
ever requite her for those weary
years of watching beside the couch of his
helpless, dying wife ? The full measure
of her self sacrifice he had not known al
the time. but he now had no doubt that
but for Cimena's sake and his she had
discarded Joel Kirty. No. no; sister
should never be requested to vacate the
dwelling over which she had ruled so long
and so well And to MIR. PERKINS, credit
be it stated, that in the ardor of his passion
for the little widow, he closed his lips upor
the disloyal words that perchance NIGH
have won her, and strobe from her cottage
rejected lover.
"If Kirby should want Roxanna now a:
much as, according to accounts, he wanted
her before he went to California, why, i
might straighten things" unused he, plod
ding despondently along the path through
the fields ''but they say he has his eye
on his Cousin Martha. Naturally he woult
be looking for somebody younger thar
sister; she had faded. There's an odds il
women And the lovers thoughts re
verted to the buxom widow, little younger
than Roxanna, yet no more faded than
morning glory at sunrise.
Mr.. PERKINS, feet had traversed thu
meadow and assembled the slope Of the
pasture adjoining the highway ere his
mind caught up with them. Then he
murmured half audibly: II wonder
whether Kirby did call this afternoon
When saw his team coming over the
bridge, it struck me | might as well stea
oft through the orchard. Considering he;
in the neighborhood looking up the ole
friends, he can't civilly pass by Roxanna
and would be hindrance in CASE
His soliloquy merged in low whistle
of satisfaction. He had reached the barr
opposite his own gate, and at the gate
his fore-feet deep in hollow paved by
their impotence stood Mr.. Kirby's gra,
sorrel.
At the spectacle Mr.. PERKINS, hear
bounded within him, and he clutched thu
topmost rail tor support. Should he leat
the forgotten horse away to the stable o.
should he by so doing appear to take too
much for granted ? He desired to be hos
pitable he desired to be exceedingly hos
pitable. but he must not convey the i'm
preston that he was over jealous for
| brother in law, and thus annoy Roxanna
Sister was so fastidious.
In an unprecedented excitement thu
habituallY easy-going man debated within
himself regarding the course of conduc
BETTING this exceptional occasion. anC
finally judged it best to interfere with the
probable wooing in no particular. Ac
cordinglv he crept around to the porcf
door quietly, with superstitious glance
at the sitting room window in passing.
brisk fire of chips revealed to him hi
rather prm blonde sister seated in a low
rocker before the hearth, and Joel Kirb,
leaning against the mantle near her
volubly discoursing.
They've opened the ball without me
guess" unused the skulking host, face
tiously, as he hitched his chair along t.
the kitchen stove to warm his feet in tn,
oven. "Seeing that's the first visit,
must say Joel stays it out well. Unques
tionably he means business. What's t.
prevent? He's first rate fellow. and'l
make kind husband. If wasn't sur,
of that. wouldn't consent to his having
Roxauna | should hate TO have him tax,
her out 10 California. hope it's true tha
he has bought back the old homestead
Well, well, wouldn't | like to be littl'
mouse in the wall about this time"
! Gould he have had his wish mos
astounded little mouse would the worth,
man have unprecedented.
You are the most morbidly consci
entious person, Roxy, that know OF,
Mr.. Kirby was saving, with a trown tina
scored his forehead with horizontal
wrinkles like the staff in written music
II | could only convince you that it wa